Uncapped Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford and Newcastle United winger Andros Townsend are the surprise inclusions in the provisional 26-man England squad for the summers European Championships. The 18-year-old Rashford, who has one appearance for the England Under-20 side, has burst on the scene at Old Trafford this term with seven goals in 17 appearances for Louis van Gaals side.
Meanwhile, Townsend, 24, moved to St James Park from Tottenham Hotspur for £12m, according to Sky Sports, in the January transfer window and though his four goals in 12 Premier League was not enough to keep the Tynesiders from relegation his performances have been enough to reignite his international career.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere have both been selected despite respective injury concerns. Henderson made his return after 10 matches out with a knee ligament injury against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday [15 May] while Wilshere made his first start of the season against Aston Villa following a broken leg.
Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck as expected misses out after being ruled out for nine months with a knee injury, while fellow-Gunner Theo Walcott has been omitted after failing to make a single league start since January. Everton pair Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka are other high-profile absentees after a disappointing campaign at Goodison Park.
Wayne Rooney - the United forward - will captain the squad as part of four strikers including the Premier leagues two leading scorers Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy as well as Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool. The former Chelsea and Manchester City forward beat West Ham Uniteds Andy Carroll to the final attacking spot after netting eight goals in 11 top flight starts.
The squad includes 14 players who have never travelled with England to a major tournament, while the same number have 12 international caps or less. Burnleys Tom Heaton is one of only two uncapped players in the roster after being selected ahead of West Brom keeper Ben Foster - and the only individual to have played Championship football this season.
Hodgsons side will face three warm-up games for the finals, starting against Turkey on 22 May at the Etihad Stadium prior to matches against Australia on 27 May at the Stadium of Light and Portugal on 2 June. England depart for their Chantilly base in France on 6 June. The England coach must cut three players from the squad by the deadline of 31 May.
Liverpool quintet Clyne, Henderson, Adam Lallana, James Milner and Sturridge, as well as United trio Rooney, Chris Smalling and Rashford are not expected to be involved in the opening friendly against Turkey due to their respective participation in the Europa League final [18 May] and FA Cup [21 May] final this week.
England face Russia [11 June], Wales [16 June] and Slovakia [20 June. in their three matches in Group B at Euro 2016 in France, which begins on 10 June. The Three Lions have never won the competition but reached the semi-final in 1996 when they were defeated on penalties by eventual champions Germany.
